Higgins knew his tenure as head coach of the Edmonton Eskimos wasn't going to last forever.

After an 11-year career here, Higgins is out of work. What's next?

"There are no plans," said Higgins, who has no intention of looking for a career outside football. "This is one of those things that occurs in the business, and you accept it or you don't get in the business."

Before joining the Esks, Higgins spent nine seasons with the Calgary Stampeders organization.

With or without a change of ownership in Calgary, it's possible Higgins could end up in the Stamps' front office.

However, it appears a coaching position could top Higgins's wish list.

"I got a well-rounded education," he said. "I think I now have my PhD in football because I was afforded an opportunity here that I would have never gotten anywhere else."

As well as telling his wife and three children of his decision to step down as the Esks head coach, Higgins telephoned his parents in New Jersey.

Higgins's father, a former NFLer with Chicago and Philadelphia, was sympathetic to a point.

"My dad said, 'What the hell do you expect when you coach on the professional level?' " Higgins said with a smile.

"They were very supportive. When you have that kind of support, everything else is of no consequence."